Lincoln assassination is Reynolds Lecture topic

The Reynolds Historical Lecture will focus on the conspiracy to assassinate Lincoln.

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln in the closing days of the Civil War changed the course of American history. Carl R. Boyd, M.D., associate professor of surgery at the Medical College of Georgia, examines the assassination during the 33rd annual Reynolds Historical Lecture at 4 p.m. Feb. 3, 2012, in the Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium, 615 18th St.

“Many today are unaware that John Wilkes Booth did not act alone, and that the assassination was a true conspiracy,” said Michael Flannery, associate director of historical collections for UAB. “The plan called for the simultaneous murder of the president, vice president and secretary of state. Eight people were tried by the government and four executed after being found guilty of conspiracy to assassinate Lincoln.”

Besides a long and distinguished career in health care, Boyd has also devoted himself to historical scholarship. His lecture is based upon his book, The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln: What Your Teacher Did Not Tell You. A book signing and reception hosted by the Medical Alumni Association and the dean of the School of Medicine will follow.

The event is co-sponsored by the Department of Surgery with the Reynolds Associates of Lister Hill Library’s Historical Collections Unit.